ATLANTA (AP) — Matt Walsh made sure Florida didn’t squander another chance to win the Southeastern Conference tournament.
Walsh scored 26 points, including consecutive 3-pointers that sparked a stunning 21-2 run, leading the Gators to a 70-53 rout of No. 4 Kentucky on Sunday and their first SEC tournament championship.
Florida (23-7) beat the Wildcats for the second time in eight days, effectively knocking them out of contention for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.
The Gators also defied history, winning their first tournament title on their 40th try against the team that has defined success in this event. Kentucky (25-5) had won the last two tournaments, 10 of the past 13 and 25 in all – more than every other school in the SEC combined.
Even though the Georgia Dome resembled Rupp Arena South – Florida fans took up only one section in the crowd of 24,408 – the Wildcats couldn’t fend off a team that’s playing its best basketball of the season at the perfect time.
The Gators have won seven in a row and certainly improved their positioning for the NCAA tournament.
Florida led throughout the first half and well into the second, but Kentucky appeared to seize control with a 15-1 outburst that had the blue-clad fans in an uproar.
Randolph Morris scored on an offensive rebound with 12:32 remaining, letting out a yell after giving Kentucky its first lead of the game at 42-40.
After Florida turned it over, Patrick Sparks drove into the lane and flipped in another basket that pushed the Wildcats to a four-point lead.
But it was all Gators the rest of the way.
Walsh, the tournament MVP, hit a 3-pointer to stem Kentucky’s momentum. After Morris put up an airball, Walsh hit another 3 from the corner to put Florida back in front at 46-44.
Anthony Roberson, part of Florida’s “Big Three” with Walsh and David Lee, drove right by Kentucky freshman Rajon Rondo for a layup. The Wildcats turned it over, and Walsh hit another 3 to make it 51-44.
Ravi Moss broke the run of 11 straight points with a a 10-foot jumper, but that was merely a brief respite in Florida’s dominance. Roberson swished a 3, Walsh hit a leaner in the lane, Corey Brewer scored on a fastbreak layup, Walsh made one free throw, and Brewer scored on another drive to make it 61-46.
At that point, the Florida bench was hopping up and down, knowing the Gators had finally broken Kentucky’s stranglehold on the tournament. The Wildcat faithful began heading quietly for the exits.
With 20 seconds to go, Florida coach Billy Donovan called a timeout to give his starters – especially the Big Three – a chance to get one more standing ovation as they came off the court. When the horn sounded, Brewer hurled the ball roofward and leaped in the air at midcourt, pumping his right fist.
Kentucky shot only 37.5 percent from the field, including a dismal 2-of-19 outside the 3-point arc – depriving the Wildcats of one of their favorite weapons. Florida also dominated the boards, seizing control in the first half and finishing with a 48-31 edge.
Lee had a staggering 17 rebounds, and Al Horford chipped in with nine.
Kelenna Azubuike led Kentucky with 17 points, but none of his teammates cracked double figures. Sparks missed all six of his 3-pointers and managed just four points.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Matt Walsh, Florida – MVP
Kelenna Azubuike, Kentucky
David Lee, Florida
Brandon Bass, LSU
Antonio Hudson, LSU
